Methods for gaming machine triggering system events

ABSTRACT

A system, method and apparatus is provided for a system in which a gaming machine triggers system events. The gaming machine may send messages to a server. The server may then process messages, and may send messages back to the gaming machine. Additionally, the server may send messages to other gaming machines also coupled to the server. The messages may concern bonuses, announcements of gaming events, and opportunities for tournament play, among other information. Thus, a gaming event (such as a jackpot or a good poker hand) may trigger a bonus or a tournament, for example. Additionally, messages may be sent to other components, such as audio and/or video components, which may then announce gaming events, for example.

BACKGROUND

Various types of gaming machines have been developed with differentfeatures to captivate and maintain player interest. In general, a gamingmachine allows a player to play a game in exchange for a wager.Depending on the outcome of the game, the player may be entitled to anaward which is paid to the player by the gaming machine, normally in theform of currency or game credits. Gaming machines may include flashingdisplays, lighted displays or sound effects to capture a player'sinterest in a gaming device.

Another important feature of maintaining player interest in a gamingmachine includes providing the player with many opportunities to winawards such as cash or prizes. For example, in some slot machines, thedisplay windows show more than one adjacent symbol on each reel, therebyallowing for multiple-line betting. Some gaming machines offer a playeran opportunity to win millions large prizes by providing progressivejackpots. Additionally, feature games of various types have beenemployed to reward players above the amounts typically awarded on astandard game pay schedule. Generally, such feature games are triggeredby predetermined events such as one or more appearances of certaincombinations of indicia in a primary game. In order to simulateinterest, feature games are typically set to occur at a gaming machineon a statistical cycle based upon the number of primary game plays.

While gaming machines, including feature games, have been verysuccessful, there remains a need for games that provide a player withenhanced excitement and increased opportunity of winning. Over time, theopportunity to win tends to be more important to most players thanflashing displays, lighted displays or sound effects. However, anincrease in the opportunity to win (or a perceived increase) may becoupled with other options for maintaining a player's interest.

The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations relatedtherewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Otherlimitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill inthe art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.Additionally, limitations and disadvantages of the related art maybecome apparent from review of other related art itself.

SUMMARY

A system, method and apparatus is provided for a system in which agaming machine triggers system events. The specific embodimentsdescribed in this document represent examples of the present invention,and are illustrative in nature rather than restrictive.

In an embodiment a method is provided. The method includes receiving amessage at a server from a first game machine related to a gaming eventat the first gaming machine. The method also includes processing themessage in relation to business rules of the server. The method furtherincludes determining if an additional message needs to be sentresponsive to the message. The method also includes sending theadditional message.

In another embodiment, a method is provided. The method includesreceiving a message at a first game machine from a server related to agaming event at a second game machine. The method further includesprocessing the message locally. The method also includes providinginformation to a player responsive to the message.

In yet another embodiment, a method is provided. The method includesgenerating a gaming event locally at a first gaming machine. The methodfurther includes creating a message responsive to the gaming event. Themethod also includes sending the message to a server responsive to thegaming event.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example in theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a process for handling messages in agaming system.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a system including servers andgaming machines.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of an interface for monitoringmessages.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a representation of business methodrules for messages.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a system including servers andgaming machines.

FIG. 6A illustrates an embodiment of a process of sending a message to aserver from a gaming machine.

FIG. 6B illustrates an embodiment of a process of receiving and sendingmessages between a server and a gaming machine.

FIG. 6C illustrates an embodiment of a process of receiving a messagefrom a server to a gaming machine.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a network which may be used inconjunction with a gaming system.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a computer which may be used inconjunction with (or as part of) a gaming system or a related server.

FIG. 9 illustrates yet another embodiment of a system including serversand gaming machines.

FIG. 10 illustrates still another embodiment of a system includingservers and gaming machines.

The drawings should be understood as illustrative rather than limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A system, method and apparatus is provided in which a gaming machinetriggers system events. The gaming machine may send messages to aserver. The server may then process messages, and may send messages backto the gaming machine. Additionally, the server may send messages toother gaming machines also coupled to the server. The messages mayconcern bonuses, announcements of gaming events, and opportunities fortournament play, among other information. Thus, a gaming event (such asa jackpot or a good poker hand) may trigger a bonus or a tournament, forexample. Additionally, messages may be sent to other components, such asaudio and/or video components, which may then announce gaming events,for example. The specific embodiments described in this documentrepresent examples of the present invention, and are illustrative innature rather than restrictive.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to oneskilled in the art that the invention can be practiced without thesespecific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the invention.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodimentof the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” invarious places in the specification are not necessarily all referring tothe same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodimentsmutually exclusive of other embodiments.

A method and system is provided where an EGM (Electronic Game Machine)can trigger an event that causes a message to be sent to the systemservers. The system servers then, based upon business rules, triggerevents to occur on iVIEWs (or displays generally) spanning the propertyor properties or a specific set of iVIEWs on a select group of EGMs. Thefollowing embodiment used in a casino is provided as an introductoryillustration of such a system. Embodiments in various types of gamingestablishments may be contemplated based on the provide descriptions andillustrations. Other embodiments and operating environments will becomeapparent to those of skill in the art.

Casinos may have EGMs with player tracking and slot accountingcomponents embedded within. These components may include a gamemonitoring unit (GMU), a card reader, a display (2 line Alpha numeric oriVIEW multimedia display). The GMU's may be connected through adedicated slot line to the Slot Management System (SMS) and CasinoManagement System or Player Marketing or Tracking System, among othersystems. These servers can send directed messages to a specific EGM orgroups of EGMs' player tracking components over existing wires or IPnetworks, for example. These directed messages are created in the serversoftware based upon various business rules and are often related tocasino offers or services, bonusing, or advertising.

The slot accounting components in the EGM will process these messagesreceived from the server and often display relevant data to the user onthe display. The data shown on the display is often server originateddata and multimedia content provided from a server or stored on astorage medium on one or more of the slot accounting components. Playerscan input their acceptance of an offer if an offer was presented to them(as opposed to an advertisement or announcement). This acceptance may besent back to the server for processing.

The EGM motherboard may connect to the GMU through a 3 wire serialinterface running the SAS protocol available from IGT. The GMU acts as aSAS Host and handles ticketing, slot accounting meters, player access totheir casino patron account, funds transfer to and from the EGM, andevent messaging to and from the attached servers. This EGM originatedevent messaging is typically related to Jackpots, Hand pays, CabinetTilts and other issues. Cabinet Tilts in particular help the casino sendthe appropriate staff out the EGM for quick customer service and to getthe machine functional again as soon as possible.

All of the messaging that originates in the gaming device CPU is sent upto the GMU then up to the Slot Accounting system for processing or foradvancement to other servers. These servers then process data and oftensend data back to the specific EGM that originated the message. It wouldbe desirable to have a message that originates in the gaming device CPUto be sent up to a server through the GMU/iVIEW or 2 line display orthrough another serial wire or Ethernet wire that could trigger, basedupon business rules, a message or messages to one or more other Playertracking devices or system components and/or their displays.

Various embodiments of the system meet the above-described needs byproviding a device, a method and a gaming system that allows messagingfrom a gaming device CPU or processor to be sent to a server forprocessing or routing to other EGMs slot accounting system components.Mechanical or video gaming devices are considered appropriate for thissystem. Similarly, games of skill, chance or both are also consideredappropriate for this system.

For compatibility, the system may use a network and transport layer thatuses the Single Wire on slot floor. (e.g. G2S, or Slot Line.) This isvery advantageous for the casino operator and does not force rewiring ofproperty, for example. In a network that supports multiple protocolsover the same wire these event messages may be routed differently orprocessed differently from the other messages that come from the EGM.

Certain types of messages may be routed differently than other messagesover the same or different protocols. Conversely, the same message maybe sent over multiple wires or the same wire using the same or differentprotocols to multiple server endpoints. Additionally, web services maybe used. The client computing device inside the EGM (base game CPU orGMU or iVIEW) may also provide web services to the server(s) and/orother clients.

Note that the following standard protocols may be used:

G2S protocol—GET EVENT HANDLER CLASS of Gaming Standards Association GSA

SAS protocol—Real Time Event Reporting—IGT Slot Account System protocol

Certain messages may leave the GMU and proceed to a GameNet Bridge(available from Bally) and at that point be directed to an appropriateserver for later processing or the GameNet Bridge can send data back toone or more other GMU's attached to it. For simplicity of reference, themessage originating from the first EGM will be called MESSAGE_G2S (Gameto Server) throughout this document. The MESSAGE_G2S received on theserver will be processed. This processed MESSAGE_G2S is referred to asMESSAGE_PROCESSED. The message originating on the server that will besent to one or more EGMs is referred to as MESSAGE_S2G (Server to Game).

A gaming device CPU running an Operating System (OS) and one or moregame programs can trigger an event that will eventually trigger a bonusaward, bonus game, tournament, a group play notification, a messagenotification, or consolation prize to be shown or executed on anotherplayer tracking display.

Types of Events

The event on an EGM may include but is not limited to the following:

-   -   certain specific combinations or combinations of scatter symbols        being shown,    -   total win from a group of lines,    -   total win from a single line,    -   a cashout event or partial cashout event.    -   a promotional credit being spent on the gaming device.    -   a win in a group play bonus round. (E.g. Player has highest rank        or score.)    -   entry into a group play bonus round or tournament.    -   a winning combination on a single line or a group of lines on a        slot machine,    -   a specific progressive being triggered,    -   a certain (e.g. predetermined or preselected) amount of wagering        on an EGM,    -   a certain amount of casino hold or player loss being met, (e.g.        for a specific player or group of players)    -   a certain percentage of wagering reaching a threshold value,    -   a certain loss/win rate being achieved,    -   a certain wager rate per unit time.    -   a win from a bonus round in a game, or a bonus round or game        being achieved.    -   a certain hand in a card game,    -   a certain card in a card game.    -   a certain amount of session time being achieved by a player.    -   a certain level of currency or currency value inserted or        transferred into the gaming device.    -   a specific cabinet button or group of cabinet buttons being        activated by a person.    -   a game or person reaching a specific level in a multi-level        game.    -   when a purchase occurs for goods or services on the gaming        device.    -   upon an electronic funds transfer to/from gaming device    -   a certain number (result) achieved in a roulette game,    -   a certain pattern being achieved in a Keno game or bingo game,    -   a skill based achievement in a game or a bonus game,    -   achieving a certain number of the same events in a gaming        machine,    -   achieving a sequence of events in a gaming machine or spanning        multiple gaming machines,    -   an EGM meter or group of meters crossing a certain threshold,    -   an EGM meter or group of meters changing by a certain size per        unit time,    -   a jackpot being triggered, a hand pay being triggered,    -   a group of outcomes being achieved in a specific order,    -   a group of simultaneous winning combinations occurring,    -   a sweepstakes or raffle win,    -   an outcome of a scratcher game,    -   an outcome of a lottery game,    -   an outcome of a class II game,    -   an outcome of a class III game,    -   the outcome of a random number generator on a gaming device        being a predetermined number or within a predetermined range of        numbers.    -   a player initiating the event by selecting a button on the        gaming device display or control panel,    -   a certain event or number of events that occurred at a gaming        device peripheral including: (a bill acceptor, ticket acceptor,        card reader, printer, button or control deck input device),    -   an event originating on: a wireless device in communication with        the gaming device, a player connected peripheral or personal        digital device, proximity sensing device, microphones, biometric        reader device, or touch screen device.    -   a certain ticket number on a ticket/voucher inserted into a        gaming device.    -   a specific player ID or player club level being identified at a        gaming device. As an example, the business rules server may        trigger the outbound message once a certain group of players or        a specific quantity of players have identified themselves at        gaming devices around the casino or casinos. Non-limiting        examples include: A buddy list—when one of a user's buddys        (preselected group of friends) identifies himself at the gaming        device then the other buddies in the group are notified, once        100 gold (e.g. high level) member players card in any gaming        device start a 100 person tournament or give an offer to these        100 gold members.    -   a member of a specific group of players being identified at a        gaming device.    -   when a player session closes on the gaming device.    -   when a player requests service.    -   when an employee is identified at a gaming device or in        proximity to a gaming device.    -   any SAS event or G2S event message as outline by the Gaming        Standards Association (GSA).    -   when an offer is accepted by a player.    -   when an advertisement is viewed by a player.        Processing on a server can be filtered and processed by patron        club level, event type, event quantity, event rate, event rate        of change, for example, prior to being sent to other player        tracking units or systems components included inside gaming        machines. The message may be forwarded as is to the other gaming        devices (MESSAGE_G2S=MESSAGE_S2G), may be modified        ((MESSAGE_G2S!=MESSAGE_S2G), or appended        (MESSAGE_G2S=MESSAGE_S2G+Modification), prior to sending message        to the other EGMs. Similarly, MESSAGE_S2G sending may be        immediate in a synchronous or an asynchronous mode. Or the        server sent message may be delayed until certain business rules        are achieved. In some embodiments, the business rule processing        server has a scheduler to enable or disable triggered messages.        In such embodiments, an operator can configure by time and day        to turn on the messaging and turn off the messaging for each        specific monitored event or group of events (or at other levels        of granularity). Schedules may be set up differently based upon        player club level (e.g. loyalty reward club level). A        non-limiting example includes: The Message S2G may work for all        player club levels during daytime hours and only Platinum        members during nighttime hours.

As an example multiple EGMs may have to send certain events to theserver and when the proper values or quantities are achieved then themessages to the other EGMs would take place. In some cases the EGMs thatoriginated the messages would also receive the server originated triggermessage just like the other EGMs or in a modified form. The EGM may havea list of other EGMs (essentially peers) that it knows so that it cansend messaging to them through the system components as well.

Alternatively one or more servers may have the business rule processinglogic have a pre-selected list of other EGMs that this original messageor a different message will be forwarded to other EGMs. Alternativelyone or more servers may have the business rule processing logicdynamically calculate a single or group of EGMs to be communicated tobased upon business rules. This list may be manually configured by anoperator, the EGMs can poll for each others' EGMs presence, or each EGMmay send a multi-cast message to all other machines on the networkannouncing itself.

Note that the business rules may be administered by an administrationserver and application by casino personnel, game manufacturer personnel,system manufacturer personnel, regulator personnel, marketing personnel,or slot operations personnel, for example. The specific messages,quantity of messages, quantity of a variable or group of variables, agroup of messages in order, in sequence, or in any order couldconfigured in this application. Thus, flexibility in the system isprovided and the system may be tailored to various gamingestablishments.

With business rules configured, server(s) have configuration screensthat allow the event, quantity of events, and threshold values to be setfrom a single or group of players or single or group of EGMs. Counterson servers increment when messages arrive with certain events arecontained within. If the pre-configured threshold values are equal to orgreater than the counter values then the appropriate message (original,new, or modified) is sent to the appropriate other EGMs on their systemcomponents. Alternatively these counters can count down to zero from thepreset value and trigger messaging to other servers, game devices,player tracking devices, when a predetermined number is hit such aszero. Optionally, a specific trigger value or combination of values formultiple variables must be used in the business rule processing enginebased on data received from the original G2S Messages from the EGMs. Insuch a case, the counters are not used in the business rule processingengine but rather just a specific message containing a specific name andvalue pair may be used.

The messages can include commands and/or data and/or media content.These messages may be sent to the specific EGMs and their systemcomponents. The server can have pre-assigned EGMs or groups of EGMs tosend the messages to based upon which messages were originally received,in what order, and which counters achieved the threshold limits.

MESSAGE_S2G can cause events to be shown or heard on any monitor orspeaker inside or attached to specific gaming machines not limited to:the iVIEW, top monitor, bottom monitor, or an LCD control panel. Otherevents also may be triggered and can be shown or heard on indoor/outsideoverhead signage or billboards, LCD screens, EGM speakers, casino websites, kiosk, handheld wireless gaming devices, cell phones, in-roomtelevisions, casino PA systems. The messages can help to create apowerful notification and entertainment system for personnel and patronsalike. Some events and messaging may dispatch casino personnel tospecific areas of the casino floor or property. A map can be shown onthese display devices to help patrons find out where the event occurredand optionally where they have to go to participate.

This potentially ties the entertainment at an EGM to other EGMs andmedia presentations throughout the property and spanning properties.EGMs and property messaging can potentially all be synchronized. Inalternate embodiments the business rules processing engine may beconfigured to send multiple different messages to many different clientsand servers for processing or notification or bonusing purposes. Thesecan be triggered from the same business rules processing engine orseparate engines or servers. The IP address of the destination serverand the XML message content to be sent to the server can be customizedby casino personnel in the business rule configurator in someembodiments. The business rule processing engine and its configuratorsmay determine behavior for all event messages that come up from thegaming devices to be monitored and trigger subsequent messages to otherEGMs or servers. This allows for a completely customizable incomingmessage analysis. Subsequent to business rules being achieved(triggered), the system may then send secondary messages to otherdestinations throughout the casino or casinos. This business ruleprocessing engine or service may be capable of forwarding the sameoriginal G2S message, a different message, a sequence of messages,appended messages, or modified messages, for example. Each game that hasits own unique proprietary events can have its messages easily added tothe business rule configurator. Then, the casino personnel can configurebusiness rules for these original messages (related to proprietaryevents) to trigger the sending of secondary messages throughout theenterprise.

Bonusing

The server business rules may use a Random Number Generator RNG todetermine which EGMs to send the MESSAGE_S2G to, what is in theMESSAGE_S2G, when to send the MESSAGE_S2G, and quantities of thevariables inside MESSAGE_S2G, among other parameters. The RNG can createa random experience or size of award to occur on the other EGMs. This ispotentially helpful for bonusing purposes. The RNG may provide an actualbonus, or potential for bonus if a player achieves some goal. The RNGoutcome may likewise qualify an EGM for an event or bonus game or bonusaward. The RNG outcome may also determine the probability or likelihoodof a bonus to be given. The outcome of the RNG may be a prize value andmay be reverse mapped into a game presentation on an EGM, iVIEW, casinosignage or other presentation device. Moreover, a server based game orbonusing software application may use a random number generator totrigger MESSAGE_S2G or provide data inside MESSAGE_S2G.

A server based game may send video streamed game data to specific EGM's.Server based game engine may receive inputs from player tracking displayinput devices including buttons, touch screens, keypad. These inputs mayaffect the server based game software and affect the outcome or state ofthe server executed game. Each player tracking display may have anidentical game running, a different game running, a group-play head tohead game, or a turn based game, for example. The server may have singleor multiple instances of the game running for the various playertracking displays.

If MESSAGE_S2G causes bonusing to be triggered on other player trackingdisplays, it may be the same for multiple players or be completelydifferent for each player based upon business rules, player and/or EGMqualification rules. Some players may receive a consolation prize, forexample. The bonusing amount for each other EGM may be different.

The MESSAGE_S2G may just instruct the base game or its associated playertracking display or system component to trigger a client side bonusopportunity. Each client would potentially qualify itself for the bonus.Alternatively, the client side device may send relevant gaming, player,or other data up to the server so that the server can qualify the playeror EGM for the bonus or size of the bonus.

Additionally, MESSAGE_S2G may be a group of messages sent in sequence orsent at completely different times from the same or different servers.MESSAGE_S2G may provide data to other EGMs system components of whichplayer or gaming device triggered the event and the size and/or type ofthe event triggered on the EGM originating MESSAGE_G2S. MESSAGE_G2S mayinclude video streaming data that is forwarded to other EGM systemcomponents through MESSAGE_S2G. This way a player on the originating EGMcan have his/her experience broadcasted to others for status reasons orbragging rights. This also can be used to let the other players see howthey will benefit themselves from this other players' luck or byachieving the triggering event. This potentially allows others to sharein the award experience and adds to the community gaming experience.Synchronized multimedia, game content, or text based messaging tomultiple other EGMs is also an option. This could include videostreaming over Ethernet from one gaming device to another.

MESSAGE_G2S may likewise trigger different messages MESSAGE_S2G todifferent groups of EGMs. These messages may be tailored to the machinesthat the other people are playing on. MESSAGE_G2S may trigger a printingof a custom formatted voucher at EGMs. This voucher can be a bonuscoupon, a tournament entry ticket, a raffle ticket, a voucher for casinorelated merchandise or service, bonus promotional credits, entry tobonus round on another EGM, free entry on another EGM game. The printermay be attached to the GMU, EGM motherboard, the iVIEW, or other systemperipheral in the cabinet. The G2S voucher class is an option forsending the print command or other proprietary protocol to implementprinting.

Notification to Other Systems

A MESSAGE_S2G or a modified version may also be sent to the CasinoSignage, speakers, in room TVs, broadcast to individual players personalcell phones or other personal digital assistants, signage outside theproperty, and to web portal sites. This alternate messaging also allowsothers to share in the experience that the originating person or personsor EGMs triggered.

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a processfor handling messages in a gaming system. Process 100 includes a gamegenerating an event 110, a message sent by the game to a server 120, themessage received by the server 130, processing of the message based onbusiness rules 140, determining if a message should be sent 150, andsending a message from the server 160. Process 100 and other processesof this document are implemented as a set of modules, which may beprocess modules or operations, software modules with associatedfunctions or effects, hardware modules designed to fulfill the processoperations, or some combination of the various types of modules, forexample. The modules of process 100 and other processes described hereinmay be rearranged, such as in a parallel or serial fashion, and may bereordered, combined, or subdivided in various embodiments.

As mentioned earlier with respect to the example embodiment describedabove, for simplicity of reference, the message originating from thefirst EGM will be called MESSAGE_G2S (Game to Server) throughout thisdocument. The MESSAGE_G2S received on the server will be processed. Thisprocessed MESSAGE_G2S is referred to as MESSAGE_PROCESSED. The messageoriginating on the server that will be sent to one or more EGMs isreferred to as MESSAGE_S2G (Server to Game).

Process 100 initiates at module 110, with an electronic gaming machinegenerating an event. An event may take on many forms, such as a win, anoteworthy win, a desirable hand in poker, or a winning streak, forexample. Moreover, the event, or gaming event, may be predetermined innature (e.g. criteria for the event may be predetermined) for a givengaming machine or group of gaming machines. At module 120, a message issent from the gaming machine to a server. The message is sent responsiveto the gaming event, and typically includes some information about thegaming event. The message may also include information about a playerand about timing of the gaming event, for example. At module 130, themessage is received by the server.

At module 140, the message as received is processed based on businessrules. These business rules may define how messages should be handled ina programmatic way. For example, some messages (and correspondingevents) may simply trigger accounting transactions at a server level,unrelated to individual machine operation. Other messages (andcorresponding events) may trigger bonus opportunities or tournament(multiple players) game opportunities. At module 150, based on thebusiness rules, a determination is made as to whether messages need tobe sent out (one message or multiple messages). If not, processingcontinues at module 140.

If so (messages need to be sent out), then at module 160, messages to besent are generated and sent from the server to other machines, such asgaming machines. As may be expected, these messages can be sent toindividual games or to multiple games, and the messages may simply besent to the game machine where the triggering event occurred, to othermachines, too, to server-based game execution processes, to other serverprocesses or all of the above. Moreover, the game machine where thetriggering event occurred need not receive a message in some instances.The message may be sent out to machine(s) using pre-established networksockets implemented by the gaming device processor, the player trackingprocessor, or the game monitoring unit. In an embodiment, the gamingdevice sends it transactional message (MESSAGE G2S) to the server usingits own ethernet port by calling a web service. The server determines iftriggering events have occurred based upon business rules setup in theconfigurator, and then sends outgoing MESSAGE_S2G to one or more gamingdevice CPUs, or player tracking system components within the gamingdevices. This communication may be optimally sent to the player trackingdisplay processor using its system network which is typically adifferent (separate) network than the one the gaming device sent theoriginal MESSAGE_G2S. The advantage of this system is that specific gametitles implemented by a gaming manufacturer that are capable of sendingtransactional messages to the business rule server are able to havetheir events send messaging to the rest of the casino floor on thedifferent (separate) network to the player tracking displays. Thusevents on these games can trigger events or notifications or bonuses onother games/machines. This allows the casino and game manufacturer todrive players from across the casino floor to a specific set of themanufacturer's gaming machines based upon triggering criteria andbusiness rules. Not all of the machines in the casino need to supportEthernet to the gaming processor. As long as the gaming device has thesystem components (GMU, iVIEW processor) then players can be notified ofthe occurrences on specific banks of the manufacturer's machineselsewhere on the casino floor.

The system in which such a process operates may provide furtherinsights. FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment, set forth by way of exampleand not limitation, of a system including servers and gaming machines.System 200 includes a first gaming machine 288, a second gaming machine228, a third gaming machine 244 a fourth gaming machine 264 andserver(s) 224 operatively coupled to each of the gaming machines.

Turning to the first gaming machine 288, an EGM 220 is included, alongwith a game monitor 212, an interface 204 (e.g. a screen or display), aprinter 216 and a card reader or other input device 208. EGM 220provides the actual gaming experience, generating gaming events,accepting user input (e.g. slot machine spins, poker inputs, etc.) anddisplaying or otherwise providing results (e.g. displaying reels or apoker hand). Gaming monitor 212 monitors the operation of game machine220 and receives messages about gaming events therefrom. Display 204receives display messages from gaming monitor 212 and displays suchmessages to the user. Display 204, gaming monitor 212 and EGM 220 mayall also communicate with server 224.

Also provided are printer 216, which prints materials for players, suchas tickets or prize claim checks, and input device 208. Input device 208may allow for input such as swiping or insertion of a player card (e.g.a tracking or rewards card), biometric input, or other input data whichmay identify a player. Communication with server 224 may be through aninterface (not shown) which may communicate using various differentcommunication technologies, such as Ethernet, wireless (e.g. RFcommunication) or other technologies. Communications within the firstgaming machine 288 may be through wired connections (typically) betweencomponents, such as serial, USB, Ethernet or other communicationsprotocols and equipment.

Server 224 receives messages from gaming machines and associatedcomponents, and processes the messages. Server 224 uses business rulesto determine how to process messages. Server 224 then acts on theresults of such processing. This includes determining if messages needto be sent to games, determining if messages need to be sent to othersystems (e.g. accounting systems), sending messages, and archiving orstoring results as needed. This may also include alerting a user (e.g.an employee monitoring play) of developments.

Additionally shown are second gaming machine 228, third gaming machine244 and fourth gaming machine 264. Second gaming machine 228 includes aEGM 232 (similar to 220), a gaming monitor 240 (similar to 212) and adisplay 236 (similar to 204). Second gaming machine 228 is shownreceiving a message from server 224 related to a message sent to server224 by the first gaming machine 288 for use by gaming monitor 240.

Third gaming machine 244 includes a EGM 248 (similar to 220), a gamingmonitor 260 (similar to 212) and a display 256 (similar to 204). Secondgaming machine 244 is shown receiving a message from server 224 relatedto a message sent to server 224 by the first gaming machine 288 fordisplay on display 256 and potentially for use by gaming monitor 260.

Fourth gaming machine 264 represents a set of games of similar or thesame architecture. Gaming machine 264 includes a EGM 276 (similar to220), a gaming monitor 268 (similar to 212) and a display 276 (similarto 204). Gaming machine 264 also includes a printer 280 tied to theserver 224 and to the EGM 276 and a printer 284 tied to the EGM 276. Asshown, fourth gaming machine 264 (or a gaming machine in the set ofgaming machines) is shown receiving a message from server 224 related toa message sent to server 224 by the first gaming machine 288 forprinting on printer 280 and potentially for use by gaming monitor 268.This may represent sending a message to a single machine or to multiplemachines, as needed for specific embodiments and implementations.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of an interface for monitoring messagesand creating or changing messages. Monitor 300 includes a messagedisplay 310, message selector 320, message type selector 330, samplemessage import button 340, message create button 350, attribute selector360 and assignment button 370. Message display 310 displays a chosenmessage and allows editing to occur (such as to create a new messagetemplate). Message selector 320 selects from available incoming messages(such as in a drop-down menu). Message type selector 330 selects a typeof message (such as incoming or outgoing, for example).

Attribute selector 360 allows for selection of name-value pairs for usein a message. Assignment button 370 allows for assignment of a messageto a business rule. Sample message importer 340 allows for importationof text of a sample message or previously stored message for use as atemplate in creating a message. Message create button 350 allows foractual creation of a message, such as for initially creating or saving amessage.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a representation of business methodrules for messages. Business rule configurator 400 includes a display ofinformation about business rules currently available and tools foradding or editing rules. Rules include a parameter on which to trigger,a threshold or predetermined value at which to trigger, a currentcounter for the parameter (e.g. a current value, when available), agroup to send messages to (e.g. which machines to send to), and anyqualification criteria for receiving machines. Also shown areedit/schedule buttons for each rule (allowing one to edit the rule orschedule when the rule is in effect) and a rule creation button(allowing one to create a new business rule). In such embodiments, onemay expect that the XML messages that will be sent to gaming devices,player tracking units, or servers may be modifiable by casino personnel.Multiple messages may be configured in the business rule configurator.Messages to other servers can be configured in addition to or in lieu ofthe supplied or current messages to be sent to the EGMs. It may bepossible to select which specific EGM or group of EGMs will receive themessages when thresholds have been achieved. Similarly, it may bepossible to configure which player, group of players, club levels, willbe sent the MESSAGE_S2G responsive to input from casino personnel.Filters by game combo, game theme, denomination, game genre (e.g. allpoker machines), area of casino, casino location, casino ID are providedin the business rule configurator to allow the casino personnel todirect MESSAGE_S2G to the particular machines of these configurations.Boolean logic can be used to filter the gaming devices and players downto a targeted select few to receive MESSAGE_S2G in such embodiments.

Multiple trigger parameters may each have to trigger a respective(predetermined) threshold quantity before messages may be sent to EGM'sand/or other servers. Also combinatory triggers may be implemented wherea first triggering message may leave the business rule configurationservice based upon a trigger being achieved and the other messages maybe sent on later triggers being achieved. The destination devicereceiving the message may require more than one message to implement itstransaction or display logic, for example.

The business rule configuration server may itself act as a server in aGaming Standards Association (GSA) S2S and G2S gaming environment. Thebusiness rule processing may register with the G2S and S2S floor systemfor certain events or meters if they occur or change. The floor systemmay be responsible for pushing the data into the business ruleconfiguration server and then the server may run its business rules todetermine if the triggers have been achieved. The business ruleprocessing server can alternately register with any or all G2S clientdevices and ask for (request) specific G2S type events or messages. Thegaming device may then send its normal G2S messages to the G2S floorsystem as usual and also send the requested events or meters to thebusiness rule processing server. The core classes of the G2S standardprotocol do not support every type of message or event that can becreated inside the game software, game OS, or peripherals. However, theclasses do provide many useful events and meter values that can be usedby the business rule processing engine. A game title or game OS can alsosend non G2S event messages to the business rule processing server asdesired using a dedicated socket or calling the web service of thebusiness rule processing server. The combination of the core G2S andnon-G2S proprietary messages can be used by the business rule processingengine to trigger secondary messages. If these pre-configured triggershave been achieved in the business rule processing server then theappropriate message(s) would be sent from the configuration server outto other servers or gaming devices, potentially enterprise-wide.

Various systems may use the business methods and rules described. FIG. 5illustrates another embodiment of a system including servers and gamingmachines. System 500 includes server(s) and gaming machines, and mayinclude other peripheral equipment as well. Gaming machines 520 and 530represent a first and second gaming machine. Additional gaming machines(such as a set or plurality of gaming machines) are shown as gamingmachine 540. Server 510 (potentially a group of servers) manages thegaming machines, receiving and sending messages, applying business rulesor business logic, and potentially managing accounting or floorfunctions and tournaments, for example. Peripheral equipment 550 mayinclude audio (e.g. sound) systems, lights or lighting displays, videodisplays such as signs or leaderboards, and other equipment found in agaming environment. Server 510 may manage peripheral equipment 550 aswell, providing messages indicating what should be displayed or played(e.g. audio playback), or when effects such as graphics orpre-programmed sounds should be used. In an embodiment, once a thresholdhas been achieved in the business rule configurator, event messages maybe sent to the casino G2S download and configuration servers toimplement an electronic change in the software or software settings ofparticular gaming devices. In such an embodiment, there may or may notbe a separate MESSAGE_S2G to the corresponding gaming device or systemcomponents within.

The processes related to sending a message to a server, processing themessage at the server, sending messages from the server and receivingmessages from a server may also provide further insights. FIG. 6Aillustrates an embodiment of a process of sending a message to a serverfrom a gaming machine. Process 600 includes the acts of generating agaming event 610, generating a message to send to a server 615, andsending the message to the server 620. Process 600 initiates withgeneration of the gaming event at module 610. The gaming event may takeon many different forms, as described previously. At module 615, amessage to the server is generated based on the event, includingpre-determined parameters such as time, event description or identifier,values for wager, jackpot, and other information as appropriate for agiven game. At module 620, this message is sent to the server.

FIG. 6B illustrates an embodiment of a process of receiving and sendingmessages between a server and a gaming machine. Process 630 includes theacts of receiving a message at a server 640, processing the messagebased on business rules 650, determining if messages need to be sent out655, and sending messages out 660. Process 630 initiates with receipt ofa message at module 640. At module 650, the message is processed basedon business rules. This processing may involve accounting functions,notification of other servers and systems, and may also involvenotification of players and other games through outbound messages. Atmodule 655, a determination is made as to whether outbound messages needto go out. If not, processing continues at module 650, or the processmay wait for another message. If messages do need to go out, at module660, the messages are generated and sent out according to the relatedbusiness rules. When the gaming client is a thin client or dumbterminal, the gaming execution occurs on the server. Thus the triggeredmessage may be sent to a gaming server instead of to a gaming device. Inanother embodiment the server being communicated to may be apersonalized player web site that a player can view on the gaming devicedisplay, iVIEW display, signage throughout the property, televisions, orwireless handheld devices, for example,

With messages sent out, the messages must be received (such as by gamingmachines). FIG. 6C illustrates an embodiment of a process of receiving amessage from a server to a gaming machine. Process 670 includes the actsof receiving a message from a server 680, processing the message locally690, and providing information to a player 695. Process 670 initiateswith module 680, and receipt of a message from a server. At module 690,the message is processed locally. This may involve reconfiguring thegame, factoring in new information, or preparing to display or play(audio) information. At module 695, the player is informed of themessage or its effects. This may take the effect of offering atournament opportunity, indicating a bonus, indicating termination of agame, playing sounds or video related to another player, or otherwiseproviding game information. These messages may trigger various types ofmedia to be displayed to the user on a cabinet displays for example,including flash, shockwave, ajax, html, jpegs, java applets, dhtml,active x, mpegs, wmv, streamed data and other media or applicationtypes. This information can be shown on the small iVIEW display or onany of the main game screens using the iVIEW DM (display manager) thatmixes the system generated media and game content and renders thiscontent on one or both of the main game screen. A G2S Media class orproprietary media class can be used to provide protocol to set the size,position, and content path for one or more windows showing this type ofmedia content. The media class can be implemented by either the maingame CPU or iVIEW processor.

Some examples of messages which may be displayed to players include:

-   “Bob Smith on EGM1 just triggered a FULL HOUSE on a Bally Fast Play    Poker Machine. All other fast play poker machines will award 2×    payouts for the next 5 minutes. Go find a machine quick! Or Press    (here) to reconfigure your gaming device to play this game.”-   This type of messaging will drive players from other Manufacturers    machines to our Bally's gaming cabinets.-   “A tournament has just been triggered on Blazing 7's machines on    Bank 7. Tournament will start in 3 minutes. Hurry up and get over    there”

User Button—Print Tournament Entry coupon.

-   “A group play competition bonus game has just started on Bally's    Black and White games throughout the property. Hurry up and get in    on the game.”-   “The leader in the group play Blazing 7's tournament is John    Smith—Alias Hot Dog. His score is 187,131. His current prize is    $275.32. Hurry up and play a Blazing 7's game to try to beat his    score.”-   “Someone else just triggered a progressive by Playing Ballys Black    and White game. They won $1,871.25. As a consolation prize you will    get 500 club bonus points and $5 gaming credits (promotional only)    added to your players club account.”

User Button—Press here to accept

User Button—Send a thank you to the person who triggered theprogressive. It will show up on their display.

-   Another player (Bryan Kelly) on another EGM triggered a group play    bonus game (or round), Do you want to compete against him? (Entry    fee $5) Time left to enter 1 min:10 s.

User Button—Accept

User Button—No Thanks

-   We will reconfigure your game machine to match the bonus game or    round of the person who triggered the bonus game.-   “Poker Frenzy games on Bank 7 are just one 3 of a Kind away from    triggering its bonus round. You may want to go get on one of those    games.”

User Button—Show MAP to where the bank is located in this casino

-   (Note: a map can be shown to player on receiving EGM to designate    where the 1st event originated. Casino, City, State, Country, EGMID,    EGM Name, EGM Stand#, EGM Zone on Floor)-   “Another big win occurred on the Casino floor! It could be your turn    next.”-   “Bryan Kelly just hit a Super Daily progressive”. You just won a    free dinner at our restaurant to join in the excitement. Printing    coupon now”

Note that reference to buttons may indicate actual buttons, or displayof button images on a touchscreen, for example.

Additionally, logging of events may be part of the system, allowing forenhanced tracking of gaming events. Examples of data in a message mayinclude:

EGM_ID# 344 GameTransactionID 18432 GameID 63 GameName, Blazing7GrandGameCombo, BLY-Blz7s_.25_.9204 Denom .25 CreditsBet 3 Line# 5WinforLine# 60 WinningCombo Bar Bar Bar ID = 6 PlayerID 106834389EGM_ID# 344 GameTransactionID 18432 GameID 63 GameName, Blazing7GrandGameCombo, BLY-Blz7s_.25_.9204 Denom .25 CreditsBet 3 Line# 2WinforLine# 15 WinningCombo Cherry Cherry ID = 3 PlayerID 106834389EGM_ID# 344 GameTransactionID 18433 GameID 63 GameName, Blazing7GrandGameCombo, BLY-Blz7s_1.00_.9204 Denom 1.00 CreditsBet 2 Line# noneWinforLine# - WinningCombo none PlayerID 106834389 EGM_ID# 344GameTransactionID 18433 GameID 34 GameName, PokerChallenge GameCombo,BLY-PKR_1.00_.9204 Denom .05 CreditsBet 25 Line# Hand1 WinforLine# 400WinningCombo Full House PlayerID non-identified player

As can be seen, such messages can provide rich detail to servers. Manycurrent gaming establishments lack tracking ability for such data, sothese messages may provide invaluable additional functionality.

The systems and processes described may work with various hardware andnetworks or for use in any particular environment. That is, severalembodiments, set forth by way of example but not limitation, contemplatea gaming environment. Those of skill in the art of computer networkswill realize that various systems and subsystems are available todifferent technology, business or social environments.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a network which may be used inconjunction with a gaming system. FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of acomputer which may be used in conjunction with (or as part of) a gamingsystem or a related server. The following description of FIGS. 7 and 8is intended to provide an overview of device hardware and otheroperating components suitable for performing the methods of theinvention described above and hereafter, but is not intended to limitthe applicable environments.

Similarly, the hardware and other operating components may be suitableas part of the apparatuses described above. The invention can bepracticed with other system configurations, including personalcomputers, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers,and the like. The invention can also be practiced in distributedcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network.

FIG. 7 shows several computer systems that are coupled together througha network 705, such as the internet, along with a cellular or otherwireless network and related cellular or other wireless devices. Theterm “internet” as used herein refers to a network of networks whichuses certain protocols, such as the TCP/IP protocol, and possibly otherprotocols such as the hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) for hypertextmarkup language (HTML) documents that make up the world wide web (web).The physical connections of the internet and the protocols andcommunication procedures of the internet are well known to those ofskill in the art.

Access to the internet 705 is typically provided by internet serviceproviders (ISP), such as the ISPs 710 and 715. Users on client systems,such as client computer systems 730, 750, and 760 obtain access to theinternet through the internet service providers, such as ISPs 710 and715. Access to the internet allows users of the client computer systemsto exchange information, receive and send e-mails, and view documents,such as documents which have been prepared in the HTML format. Thesedocuments are often provided by web servers, such as web server 720which is considered to be “on” the internet. Often these web servers areprovided by the ISPs, such as ISP 710, although a computer system can beset up and connected to the internet without that system also being anISP.

The web server 720 is typically at least one computer system whichoperates as a server computer system and is configured to operate withthe protocols of the world wide web and is coupled to the internet.Optionally, the web server 720 can be part of an ISP which providesaccess to the internet for client systems. The web server 720 is showncoupled to the server computer system 725 which itself is coupled to webcontent 795, which can be considered a form of a media database. Whiletwo computer systems 720 and 725 are shown in FIG. 7, the web serversystem 720 and the server computer system 725 can be one computer systemhaving different software components providing the web serverfunctionality and the server functionality provided by the servercomputer system 725 which will be described further below.

Cellular network interface 743 provides an interface between a cellularnetwork and corresponding cellular devices 744, 746 and 748 on one side,and network 705 on the other side. Thus cellular devices 744, 746 and748, which may be personal devices including cellular telephones,two-way pagers, personal digital assistants or other similar devices,may connect with network 705 and exchange information such as email,content, or HTTP-formatted data, for example.

Cellular network interface 743 is representative of wireless networkingin general. In various embodiments, such an interface may also beimplemented as a wireless interface such as a Bluetooth interface, IEEE802.11 interface, or some other form of wireless network. Similarly,devices such as devices 744, 746 and 748 may be implemented tocommunicate via the Bluetooth or 802.11 protocols, for example. Otherdedicated wireless networks may also be implemented in a similarfashion.

Cellular network interface 743 is coupled to computer 740, whichcommunicates with network 705 through modem interface 745. Computer 740may be a personal computer, server computer or the like, and serves as agateway. Thus, computer 740 may be similar to client computers 750 and760 or to gateway computer 775, for example. Software or content maythen be uploaded or downloaded through the connection provided byinterface 743, computer 740 and modem 745.

Client computer systems 730, 750, and 760 can each, with the appropriateweb browsing software, view HTML pages provided by the web server 720.The ISP 710 provides internet connectivity to the client computer system730 through the modem interface 735 which can be considered part of theclient computer system 730. The client computer system can be a personalcomputer system, a network computer, a web tv system, or other suchcomputer system.

Similarly, the ISP 715 provides internet connectivity for client systems750 and 760, although as shown in FIG. 7, the connections are not thesame as for more directly connected computer systems. Client computersystems 750 and 760 are part of a LAN coupled through a gateway computer775. While FIG. 7 shows the interfaces 735 and 745 as generically as a“modem,” each of these interfaces can be an analog modem, isdn modem,cable modem, satellite transmission interface (e.g. “direct PC”), orother interfaces for coupling a computer system to other computersystems.

Client computer systems 750 and 760 are coupled to a LAN 770 throughnetwork interfaces 755 and 765, which can be ethernet network or othernetwork interfaces. The LAN 770 is also coupled to a gateway computersystem 775 which can provide firewall and other internet relatedservices for the local area network. This gateway computer system 775 iscoupled to the ISP 715 to provide internet connectivity to the clientcomputer systems 750 and 760. The gateway computer system 775 can be aconventional server computer system. Also, the web server system 720 canbe a conventional server computer system. Alternatively, a servercomputer system 780 can be directly coupled to the LAN 770 through anetwork interface 785 to provide files 790 and other services to theclients 750, 760, without the need to connect to the internet throughthe gateway system 775.

FIG. 8 shows one example of a personal device that can be used as acellular telephone (744, 746 or 748) or similar personal device, or maybe used as a more conventional personal computer, as an embeddedprocessor or local console, or as a PDA, for example. Such a device canbe used to perform many functions depending on implementation, such asgame playing, office software functions, internet access andcommunication functions, monitoring functions, user interface functions,telephone communications, two-way pager communications, personalorganizing, or similar functions. The system 800 of FIG. 8 may also beused to implement other devices such as a personal computer, networkcomputer, or other similar systems.

The computer system 800 interfaces to external systems through thecommunications interface 820. In a cellular telephone, this interface istypically a radio interface for communication with a cellular network,and may also include some form of cabled interface for use with animmediately available personal computer. In a two-way pager, thecommunications interface 820 is typically a radio interface forcommunication with a data transmission network, but may similarlyinclude a cabled or cradled interface as well. In a personal digitalassistant, communications interface 820 typically includes a cradled orcabled interface, and may also include some form of radio interface suchas a Bluetooth or 802.11 interfaces, or a cellular radio interface forexample. Conventional computer systems often use an Ethernet connectionto a network or a modem connection to the Internet, for example.

The computer system 800 includes a processor 810, which can be aconventional microprocessor such as an Intel Pentium microprocessor orMotorola power PC microprocessor, a Texas Instruments digital signalprocessor, or some combination of the various types or processors. Notethat processor 810 and the other components can represent single ormultiple components of the same type. Memory 840 is coupled to theprocessor 810 by a bus 870. Memory 840 can be dynamic random accessmemory (dram) and can also include static ram (SRAM), or may includeFLASH EEPROM, too. The bus 870 couples the processor 810 to the memory840, also to non-volatile storage 850, to display controller 830, and tothe input/output (I/O) controller 860. Note that the display controller830 and I/O controller 860 may be integrated together and the displaymay also provide input.

The display controller 830 controls in the conventional manner a displayon a display device 835 which typically is a liquid crystal display(LCD) or similar flat-panel, small form factor display. The input/outputdevices 855 can include a keyboard, or stylus and touch-screen, and maysometimes be extended to include disk drives, printers, a scanner, andother input and output devices, including a mouse or other pointingdevice. The display controller 830 and the I/O controller 860 can beimplemented with conventional well known technology. A digital imageinput device 865 can be a digital camera which is coupled to an I/Ocontroller 860 in order to allow images from the digital camera to beinput into the device 800.

The non-volatile storage 850 is often a FLASH memory or read-onlymemory, or some combination of the two. A magnetic hard disk, an opticaldisk, or another form of storage for large amounts of data may also beused in some embodiments, though the form factors for such devicestypically preclude installation as a permanent component of the device800. Rather, a mass storage device on another computer is typically usedin conjunction with the more limited storage of the device 800. Some ofthis data is often written, by a direct memory access process, intomemory 840 during execution of software in the device 800. One of skillin the art will immediately recognize that the terms “machine-readablemedium” or “computer-readable medium” includes any type of storagedevice that is accessible by the processor 810 and also encompasses acarrier wave that encodes a data signal.

The device 800 is one example of many possible devices which havedifferent architectures. For example, devices based on an Intelmicroprocessor often have multiple buses, one of which can be aninput/output (I/O) bus for the peripherals and one that directlyconnects the processor 810 and the memory 840 (often referred to as amemory bus). The buses are connected together through bridge componentsthat perform any necessary translation due to differing bus protocols.

In addition, the device 800 is controlled by operating system softwarewhich includes a file management system, such as a disk operatingsystem, which is part of the operating system software. One example ofan operating system software with its associated file management systemsoftware is the family of operating systems known as Windows CE® andWindows® from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., and theirassociated file management systems. Another example of an operatingsystem software with its associated file management system software isthe Palm® operating system and its associated file management system.The file management system is typically stored in the non-volatilestorage 850 and causes the processor 810 to execute the various actsrequired by the operating system to input and output data and to storedata in memory, including storing files on the non-volatile storage 850.Other operating systems may be provided by makers of devices, and thoseoperating systems typically will have device-specific features which arenot part of similar operating systems on similar devices. Similarly,WinCE® or Palm® operating systems may be adapted to specific devices forspecific device capabilities.

Device 800 may be integrated onto a single chip or set of chips in someembodiments, and typically is fitted into a small form factor for use asa personal device. Thus, it is not uncommon for a processor, bus,onboard memory, and display/I-O controllers to all be integrated onto asingle chip. Alternatively, functions may be split into several chipswith point-to-point interconnection, causing the bus to be logicallyapparent but not physically obvious from inspection of either the actualdevice or related schematics.

A new game theme that is installed on the casino floor with new types ofmessages may announce its message templates to the business ruleconfigurator server through an auto-enumeration process upon boot up orupon execution of a manual process from within an operator setup screenin the gaming software, for example. The business rule configuratorwould import the new XML template (or other rules information) and addit to its available template list. Then casino personnel could select toconfigure a business rule for some or all of the fields within thetemplate. From that point forward the configurator transaction servicewill monitor for these messages and thresholds being achieved and sendthe corresponding outbound messages to the appropriate gaming devicesand/or servers. Some portions of the detailed description are presentedin terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations ondata bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions andrepresentations are the means used by those skilled in the dataprocessing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their workto others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally,conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of operations leading to adesired result. The operations are those requiring physicalmanipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily,these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capableof being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwisemanipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasonsof common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements,symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.

It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar termsare to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and aremerely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unlessspecifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussion,it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizingterms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or“determining” or “displaying” or the like, refer to the action andprocesses of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device,that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical(electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers andmemories into other data similarly represented as physical quantitieswithin the computer system memories or registers or other suchinformation storage, transmission or display devices.

The present invention, in some embodiments, also relates to apparatusfor performing the operations herein. This apparatus may be speciallyconstructed for the required purposes, or it may comprise a generalpurpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computerprogram stored in the computer. Such a computer program may be stored ina computer readable storage medium, such as, but is not limited to, anytype of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, andmagnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random accessmemories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, or any typeof media suitable for storing electronic instructions, and each coupledto a computer system bus.

The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently relatedto any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general purposesystems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachingsherein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specializedapparatus to perform the required method steps. The required structurefor a variety of these systems will appear from the description below.In addition, the present invention is not described with reference toany particular programming language, and various embodiments may thus beimplemented using a variety of programming languages.

Other topologies and networks of servers and gaming machines may also becontemplated. For example, FIG. 9 illustrates yet another embodiment ofa system including servers and gaming machines. System 900 includes aserver 910, a first gaming device 940 and a second gaming device 960.Server 910 includes a business rules processing service 915, a businessrules configuration interface 920, a game interface 925 and a gamemachine processor 930. More than one game machine processor 930 may beincluded, and game machine processor 930 may be capable of running morethan one game at a given time.

Business rules processing service 915 processes business rules anddetermines if conditions of rules are met. In effect, this results in adetermination if pre-determined conditions of the rules are met.Business rules configuration interface 920 provides an interface for useby a user (e.g. an operator) who may specify business rules and theconditions to be included in the business rules. Not shown is a databaseor similar storage facility for such business rules, and any potentialdisplay for such an interface. A separate machine may be coupled toserver 910 to provide such an interface, too.

Gaming device 940 includes a system processor 945 and a server interface950. Not shown is an interface with a user or player—such an interfacemay include audio, visual, input and other peripheral devices. Serverinterface 950 may receive data from server 910, and thus from gamemachine processor 930, for example. System processor 945 may thenprocess such data to provide a display of a game to a user. Gamingdevice 960 also includes a system processor 965 and a server interface970, and may function in a similar manner to gaming device 940.Additionally, one or both of gaming devices 940 and 960 may receivemessages from the business rules processing service 915, causingmessages to be displayed to players, for example.

FIG. 10 illustrates still another embodiment of a system includingservers and gaming machines. System 1000 includes a server 910 andgaming device(s) 940. System 1000 also include gaming device(s) 1060,which have a game machine processor 1065 and server interface 1070,allowing gaming device 1060 to execute a game independent of server 910,while communicating with server 910. Additionally, gaming device(s) 1080are included, which have a system processor 1085, server interface 1090and game machine processor 1095. Gaming devices 1080 may be expected toprovide similar functionality to the gaming devices of FIG. 5, forexample.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that although specific examplesand embodiments of the system and methods have been described forpurposes of illustration, various modifications can be made withoutdeviating from present invention. For example, embodiments of thepresent invention may be applied to many different types of databases,systems and application programs. Moreover, features of one embodimentmay be incorporated into other embodiments, even where those featuresare not described together in a single embodiment within the presentdocument.

1. A method, comprising: receiving a message at a server from a firstgame machine related to a gaming event at the first gaming machine;processing the message in relation to business rules of the server;determining if an additional message needs to be sent responsive to themessage; and sending the additional message.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the additional message is a plurality of additional messages. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein sending the additional message includessending the additional message to the first gaming machine.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein sending the additional message includessending the additional message to a second gaming machine.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein sending the additional message includes sending theadditional message to the first gaming machine and to a second gamingmachine.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the additional messageindicates a bonus is being provided to players.
 7. The method of claim1, wherein the additional message indicates a tournament opportunity isavailable.
 8. The method of claim 4, wherein the additional messagedescribes the gaming event.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein sendingthe additional message includes sending the additional message to anon-gaming machine.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the non-gamingmachine is a sound system.
 11. A method, comprising: receiving a messageat a first game machine from a server related to a gaming event at asecond game machine; processing the message locally; and providinginformation to a player responsive to the message.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein providing information includes informing the player ofa multiple player gaming opportunity.
 13. The method of claim 11,wherein providing information includes informing the player of thegaming event.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein providing informationincludes informing the player of a bonus resulting from the gamingevent.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein providing informationincludes informing the player of a change in gaming.
 16. The method ofclaim 11, wherein processing the message locally includes preparing thefirst game machine for a multiple player game.
 17. A method, comprising:generating a gaming event locally at a first gaming machine; creating amessage responsive to the gaming event; and sending the message to aserver responsive to the gaming event.
 18. The method of claim 17,further comprising: receiving a responsive message from the server atthe first gaming machine.
 19. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising: the responsive message indicates a bonus is being applied.20. The method of claim 18, further comprising: the responsive messageindicates a tournament opportunity is available.